Today I was heading west through Austria onto Salzburg, famous for 2 things: the Sound of Music and Mozart. Not really being a fan of either I was hoping that the city would have more to offer than just those, I had heard it was a pretty place. So after a 3 hour journey costing €45, much more than I had paid elsewhere for a train ticket, I arrived in. Trying to follow the dirge directions that the hostel had given me made a 15 minute walk turn into a 40 minute trek. I think the hostel I'd booked into is one of the worst I'd ever stayed in, even beating the weird creepy one in the South Island of NZ, and the awful bed-bug ridden one in NY. This hostel used to be a hotel but is now actually a student accommodation place during term time, which they turn into a hostel in the summer.... they basically have done a really poor job of it, and I was less than pleased at having to stay here for 2 nights. I think the kitchen must have had 3 forks, 2 knives and maybe a spoon. Only one plate though

. Oh, and being utter cheapskates there is only one key per 4 bed dorm, completely ridiculous.So I headed out to get away from the place, walking down the riverside towards the old city area, which certainly looked pretty with the mountains and the fortress as a backdrop. Markets run on a Sunday alongside the river so I took these in as I walked past, noticing a wisened old man with lots of teeth missing selling anti-ageing and other health remedies. Hardly the best advert for his wares. There were also a few food stands selling the huge brezels which are popular over here; these tempted me for a second until I realised that they were just stodge city. I fought through the mass of tourists, mean age 75 years, and into the town itself. This place seems to have rather a large concentration of expensive shops selling disgusting clothes at ridiculous prices. Must be why all the old people like it so much.After a good wander through the throngs of people, I found a square with a fountain and some horse drawn carriages, the horses giving me that horse-stare and stamping their feet. The feeling is mutual, horses. Giving the plentiful tacky souvenirs a wide berth, I headed to see what the craic was with the fortress... €10, what the???! No ta.Instead I walked up as far as the other ticket gate up the hill, had a look over the city from the vantage point and took a few piccies, then headed back down. I wasn't really in the mood for traipsing around loads of sights, so I obviously headed for the Christmas shop. The pain in my foot must have been altering my brain as I was this close to almost buying a few things... Thankfully I came to my senses when I almost broke a load of baubles.It was defo time to get out of the tourist trap and back to the skanky hostel.